Wreck halts traffic on I-20/59

Crews work to clean up debris along Interstate 20/59 after an wreck closed the southbound lanes and slowed traffic headed north on Saturday.

Staff photo | Michelle Lepianka Carter

Staff report

Published: Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 5:50 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Southbound traffic on Interstate 20/59 was at a standstill for several hours Saturday morning when a tractor-trailer struck an overhead interstate exit sign.

Alabama State Troopers responded to the wreck shortly before 7 a.m. and found the truck in the median at the 72 mile marker, said a State Troopers spokeswoman. The truck’s driver, 58-year-old Dallas resident Ramon Reyes, had reportedly crashed into the interstate sign that indicates the 71A (Moundville) and 71B (Tuscaloosa) exits, knocking the sign to the ground and blocking all three lanes of southbound traffic.

The driver was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening, the spokeswoman said. Traffic was diverted off the McFarland exits, while the road was cleared up. In addition to the southbound lanes, one northbound lane was also closed while the truck and sign were being removed from the roadway. All lanes reopened about 3 p.m.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | Southbound traffic on Interstate 20/59 was at a standstill for several hours Saturday morning when a tractor-trailer struck an overhead interstate exit sign.</p><p>Alabama State Troopers responded to the wreck shortly before 7 a.m. and found the truck in the median at the 72 mile marker, said a State Troopers spokeswoman. The truck's driver, 58-year-old Dallas resident Ramon Reyes, had reportedly crashed into the interstate sign that indicates the 71A (Moundville) and 71B (Tuscaloosa) exits, knocking the sign to the ground and blocking all three lanes of southbound traffic. </p><p>The driver was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening, the spokeswoman said. Traffic was diverted off the McFarland exits, while the road was cleared up. In addition to the southbound lanes, one northbound lane was also closed while the truck and sign were being removed from the roadway. All lanes reopened about 3 p.m.</p><p>The wreck is being investigated, the spokeswoman said.</p>